Verizon Wireless Donates $2500 And Loans 20 Phones To Wilderness Heals

WOBURN, MA — Verizon Wireless announced today it has donated $2,500 to the Elizabeth Stone House, the Boston-based organization hosting its 6th annual "Wilderness Heals" hike and fundraiser on June 22-24 in the Presidential Range of New Hampshire's White Mountains. In addition, Verizon Wireless has loaned the group 20 wireless phones for the month of June, which the hikers will carry as a safety precaution during the event and training hikes.

Each of the approximately 70 women participating in the hike has raised at least $1,000 for the Elizabeth Stone House. Founded in 1974, the organization, located in Jamaica Plain, MA, provides residential and community-based services for women in emotional distress—including domestic violence victims and their children. The event is expected to raise over $100,000 for the Stone House.

"These women are embarking on a challenging endeavor to raise funds and awareness for a cause we very strongly support," said Bob Stott, president for Verizon Wireless' New England Region. "We are proud to continue our tradition of supporting domestic violence assistance programs including the Stone House, and delighted that our wireless phones could play a role in the safety of the hikers."

The hikers will depart for Goham, New Hampshire at 6:00 am on Friday, June 22. They will split into roughly 14 teams, each hiking between 12-18 miles and traversing several 4,000-foot peaks.

The women have been spending their weekends training for the event since mid-April, conducting practice hikes and attending workshops. Each team will include an experienced hiking leader, who will be carrying a Verizon Wireless phone in additional to all standard wilderness safety equipment.

"Since we're bringing such a large group into the wilderness, it's reassuring to have the ability to coordinate with each other and communicate with officials if the need arises," said Leah Campbell, program coordinator for Wilderness Heals.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless is the largest wireless communications provider in the U.S. with more than 27 million wireless voice and data customers. The coast-to-coast wireless provider was formed by the combination of the U.S. wireless businesses of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD), including Bell Atlantic Mobile, AirTouch Cellular, GTE Wireless and PrimeCo Personal Communications. Verizon Wireless has a footprint covering more than 90 percent of the U.S. population, 49 of the top 50 and 96 of the top 100 U.S. markets. The company, headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, is 40,000 employees strong. Reporters and editors can find more information about the company on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

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